Elucidation of the Principles of Formation and Function of the Brain Neural Network and Creation of Control Technologies

Outline

This research area aims to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the generation, development, and regeneration of the brain neural network; to investigate how neural networks composed of a variety of elements in individual brain areas work and express their specific functions; and to clarify how the brain works as a coherent system by integrating the activities of these local networks. On the basis of such research, it also aims to create technologies for controlling the process of formation and activities of the brain neural network.
Specific approaches may include elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of development, differentiation, regeneration, target recognition, and migration of neurons (components of neural networks) and glial cells that significantly influence neural network formation and functions; elucidation of the mode of neural network activities by combining new technologies, such as visualization of specific neurons with the use of specific expression molecules and fluorescent proteins, simultaneous recording of activities of many neurons, and local stimulation with a caged compound; research to clarify the relationship of higher order brain functions with synaptic events through the combination of research at the network and system levels in model animals and research on the regulatory mechanism of synaptic transmission at the molecular and cellular levels; elucidation of the mechanism of neural network reorganization at the critical period or after brain damage; and creation of technologies for intervention in its process.

Strategic Sector

Clarification of the Control Mechanisms of Neural Circuit Operation and its Formation

Research Projects

Year Started : 2011
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Junichi Nabekura	Professor, National Institute for Physiological Sciences	Neuron-glia interaction in long-term remodeling of synapses in vivo
Eiji Hoshi	Project Leader, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science	Modes of motor information processing in primate cerebro-cerebello-basal ganglia networks
Yasushi Miyashita	Professor, The University of Tokyo	Neurophysiological investigation of mechanisms of cognitive memory network in the cerebral cortex of macaques
Takeshi Yagi	Professor, Osaka University	Neuronal individuality providing neural circuit formation and cell assembly

Year Started : 2010
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Kei Ito	Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo	System analysis of the structure and function of higher order neural circuits integrating sensory information
Kenichi Ohki	Professor, Kyushu University	Architecture of functional neural circuits in the cerebral cortex
Kuniyoshi L. Sakai	Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo	Elucidation of working principles within neural networks controlling language
Yoshimi Takai	Professor, Kobe University	Roles of cell adhesion molecules in the formation of hippocampal neuronal circuitry
Haruhiko Bito	Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo	Elucidation of the molecular basis of signaling cascades underlying plastic neuronal circuits via development of new probing and control technologies
Toshihide Yamashita	Professor, Osaka University	Elucidation of mechanisms of neural network reorganization and functional recovery after brain injury

Year Started : 2009
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Hitoshi Okamoto	Deputy Director/ Senior Team Leader, RIKEN Brain Science Institute	Study on the regulatory mechanisms for behavioral and learning choices by the habenula
Yasuo Kawaguchi	Professor, National Institute for Physiological Sciences	Integrative analysis of inter-region and local circuit connections in the cerebral cortex
Yukiko Gotoh	Professor, The University of Tokyo	Production of various neural cell types by regulation of neural stem cells
Tomoyuki Takahashi	Professor, Doshisha University	Presynaptic regulatory mechanism in neuronal communication and its postnatal development
Takahisa Furukawa	Head, Osaka Bioscience Institute	Analysis of the synapse formation and the functional networks in the vertebrate retina
Masanori Matsuzaki	Professor, National Institute for Basic Biology	Spatio-temporal representation of the motor information in the brain revealed by cutting-edge techniques
Hajime Mushiake	Professor, Tohoku University	Neural mechanisms underlying dynamic representations of information in the brain: state transitions in local circuits
Kensaku Mori	Professor, The University of Tokyo	Neuronal circuit mechanisms underlying odor-induced motivational and emotional behaviors
Michisuke Yuzaki	Professor, Keio University	Role of C1q family signaling in regulation of synapse formation in mature brain

Research Area Website: http://www.crest-bnn.jst.go.jp/en/index.html